Seylan Bank look to make amends

The 27th edition of the Mercantile Basketball League is set to commence in the second week of June as it was postponed from the original date due to adverse weather conditions. As the top corporates battle each other outside of the leather seats and fancy carpets; let`s take a look whether they have what it takes to win the battle.

Six men`s teams and three women`s teams will compete in the A Division of the tournament. Out of the nine corporates in competition here`s a look into Seylan Bank Women`s Basketball Team.

Peoples Team of the MSBA League 2017 – Vote

The 27th Edition of the Mercantile Basketball League will commence during the third week of June.

Seylan Bank wrapped up the last season booking the runners-up slot losing to the tournament heavyweights Hatton National Bank. Coming into the 2017 edition Seylan Bank is looking to make amends and clinch the trophy.  

The team-line up does possess the experience that is required for them to edge past the rest of the contenders. Jayaliya Kumari, who led the national women`s team in the SABA Championship 2016 where they emerged champions, will play alongside the experience campaigner and national cap Benika Thalagala. That combination will hold up the team with experience at tough times.    

Photos: Seylan Bank Women`s Basketball Team – MSBA League 2017

The biggest loss for the team will be the loss of Tharjini Sivalingam. Tharjini who is also a national netball player moved to Australia earlier this year to play for the Victorian Netball League. Tharjini controlled the game with her rebounds and blocked off many points using her height and will surely be missed.   

The biggest concern for the team at the moment is their fitness which they are working on increasing. Apart from the fitness factor Seylan Bank will also be focusing on stabilizing their defense – which will help them to maintain a low foul count.

Skipper Amaya Kalpana speaking to ThePapare.com said, “We have a very experienced team and our only fatal flaw is that we lack fitness due to the high average of age but all the players are confident that we can get a different outcome than what happened last year.”

Coach Chathura Rodrigo went on to say, “Last year we were very close to winning the championship but we were a little unprepared with the delays of matches and one of our best shooters didn’t play which was a huge loss for us. On the other hand, this year we are much better prepared and although HNB will be a tough match I believe that we will be able to win if we are able to keep our foul count low.”

Seylan Bank will be on the back foot with the height advantage since they do not have the services of Tharjini as well. It will be their experience, speed and adaption to different stages of the game in the right manner that will help them to get past the winning line.

Seylan Bank Women`s Basketball Team: Amaya Kalpana (Captain), Nethmi Herath, Krishani Kunchana, Jayaliya Kumari, Benika Thalagala, Gaya Jayaweera, Gishara Nayanathara, Mandira Charuni, Malsha Sathsari.

Seylan Bank Fixtures

• 11th July – Seylan Bank v Hatton National Bank – Hendry Pedris Basketball Stadium
• 5th August – Seylan Bank v Commercial Credit – Hendry Pedris Basketball Stadium